Reporter Wednesday
February 11, 2026
Request
for Quotation
Consultancy
for Market Ecosystem Analysis, Gender-
Responsive
Labor Assessment, and Investor Scoping
1. Background
Oxfam's is a global initiative
that has been working In Ethiopia for over five decades
partnering with government bodies, civil society, and communities to address the root causes of poverty, inequality, and social
exclusion. In Ethiopia, despite ongoing macro-economic reforms and strong comparative
advantages including a large youth workforce, industrial parks, renewable
energy potential, and strategic connectivity, foreign direct investment (FDI) and
long-term B2B partnerships remain constrained by regulatory, financial,
logistical, labor market, and security-related bottlenecks. To ensure that trade and
investment translate into inclusive growth and decent work, Oxfam seeks to commission a
rigorous, evidence-based study that identifies systemic constraints and opportunities across the investment lifecycle, with strong attention to gender
equality and social inclusion.
2. Purpose of the Assignment
The primary purpose of this
consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive, evidence-based
study that bridges the gap between Ethiopia's domestic market potential and the stringent requirements of international
investment. The findings will be disseminated globally. The study moves beyond anecdotal
evidence to identify critical "choke points" across the investment
lifecycle and provides a practical roadmap for fostering sustainable B2B partnerships and
inclusive job creation. It will focus on key value chains, including coffee,
silk, oilseeds, and horticulture. The results will inform policy dialogue, program
design, and partnership strategies that promote responsible private sector
engagement, inclusive employment, and the sustainable integration of Ethiopian
firms into global value chains.
3. Objectives of the Consultancy
Overall Objective
To identify systemic investment,
trade, and labor market bottlenecks and propose
pathways for inclusive, gender-responsive, and responsible private sector engagement in Ethiopia.
Specific objectives:
- Identify
and analyze key regulatory, financial, logistical, and institutional bottlenecks across the investment lifecycle that constrain
mutually beneficial trade, long-term B2B
partnerships, and foreign direct investment.
- Assess labor market dynamics
and value chain participation with a social inclusion lens,
identifying skills gaps, structural barriers, and opportunities for women, youth, and marginalized groups to access decent
employment.
- Map and analyze private sector
interest, investor perceptions, and market demand and
identify priority sectors, geographies, and stakeholders with high potential for responsible investment and inclusive
growth.
4. Scope of Work
The consulting firm will conduct
a comprehensive analysis of Ethiopia's market ecosystem
and investment readiness, covering regulatory, financial, and logistics dimensions, alongside a gender-responsive labor
market and value chain assessment aligned with
international investor standards. The assignment will involve extensive engagement with key stakeholders, including
government institutions, financial service
providers, chambers of commerce, private sector actors,
industrial parks, and cooperative unions across the selected value chains and geographic hubs (including Amhara, Oromia,
Tigray, and Sidama) with strong potential for
inclusive growth. The consultancy will culminate in clear, actionable recommendations to inform Oxfam's programming,
advocacy initiatives, and strategic
partnership development.
5. Deliverables
The consultant will submit an
Integrated Trade, Investment, and Labor Strategy Report,
serving as a practical decision-making tool for Oxfam and its partners. The report will include diagnostics, stakeholder mapping,
and prioritized recommendations aligned with
inclusive growth and donor priorities.
6. Duration of the Assignment
The duration of the consultancy
will be agreed upon with Oxfam at contract signing.
7. Application and Submission
Process
The key tasks, scope,
deliverables, and essential requirements for this assessment are clearly outlined in the Terms of Reference (TOR).
Interested service providers are invited to
collect the TOR document from Oxfam in Ethiopia at the address below, starting from 12 February 2026. Consultants are
required to carefully review the TOR and
submit their proposals by close of business on Thursday, 19 February 2026, at 4:30 p.m.
Proposals must be submitted in
three separate parts: Administrative, Technical, and
Financial proposals, in accordance with the instructions provided in the
TOR.
This Request for Quotation (RFQ)
is issued solely for the purpose of obtaining offers for the provision of services in line with the detailed
requirements set out in the TOR, Only
consultancy firms are eligible to apply. Oxfam reserves the right not to
enter into or award a contract as a result of this
invitation to tender and reserves the right to
terminate any contract awarded under this RFQ in accordance with the applicable contract terms and conditions.
Submissions must be in English
and delivered by hand to: OXFAM in Ethiopia
Addis Ababa Office, Imperial
Gerji, Bole Ring Road St.,
Behind Sami Building, Sub-City
Bole, Woreda 13, House No. 0054